Sand handling using progressive cavity pump (PCP) in mangga field

Abstract

The problem of sand production is often found in oil fields from the layers of sandstone (rock sand) that are productive in shallow depths too deep ones. Sand production begins to occur if stress exceeds the strength of rock formations, the strength of these rock formations, which is the strength of natural cementation of rocks with granules of sandstone in formation. Besides, sand production is susceptible to the rate of production, where at the critical production level, sand will be produced. In sandstone formations, cement granules cementing material is not consolidated, so that the sand will be produced starting from the beginning of the oil well being completed. Sandstone formations may not produce sand at the beginning of production, but after a particular production period sand begins. It can be understood that with decreasing reservoir pressure, each sand grain will increase the overburden pressure which then results in increased stress between the grains to exceed the ability to cement material in the sandstone formation. Sand problems in oil production wells can significantly lead to shut down of production and the increased frequency of using Rig Services in intervention well activities, which caused increasing operational costs. One way to solve the problem is by using a Progressive Cavity Pump (PCP) where the movement of the rotor to the stator passes through the production fluid including sand that is produced to the surface so that the stuck pump problem due to the accumulation of sand can be overcome. In addition to the ability to overcome the sand, PCP provides a high level of pump efficiency, reaching up to 75%.